Latest news with #GrandCentral
BBC News
6 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
More trains to run between London and Hull, Newcastle and Glasgow
Additional train services will run on the East Coast Main Line from December, the rail regulator has open-access operators – Lumo, Grand Central and Hull Trains – applied to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to expand their timetablesThe successful proposals include additional trains between London and each of Hull, Newcastle and ORR rejected some plans, including a bid by Hull Trains to run direct services between London and Sheffield, due to concerns about insufficient capacity on the line. FirstGroup, which owns Hull Trains, said it was "disappointed" by the decision, as it would have provided Sheffield with its first regular service from London King's Cross since claimed the direct service would have served "an estimated 350,000 people".Hull Trains was given permission to run an additional service from London King's Cross to Hull on weekdays and will be allowed to extend its existing London-Edinburgh service to Glasgow, and will also put on additional services between King's Cross and Grand Central will expand its regional services with a new link to Seaham, on the County Durham coast, and additional trains between Wakefield and Bradford. 'Greater choice' Stephanie Tobyn, ORR's director of strategy, policy and reform, said: "We have ensured the approval of these services can be accommodated alongside the major service uplifts by other operators, which have been planned into the December 2025 timetable."Passengers and freight customers would benefit from "more direct connections and greater choice", she operators set their own fares, take on all revenue risk and receive no taxpayer-funded are also excluded from the government's ongoing nationalisation of the UK's train Secretary Heidi Alexander wrote to the ORR in January to highlight concerns about the open-access model causing "potential congestion" and taxpayers being "left to fill shortfalls" in maintenance approval of additional services comes after LNER, the government-owned operator that runs services on the East Coast Main Line, announced changes to timetables from December, with up to 37 daily services and quicker journeys between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Three train operators given go ahead to run extra East Coast services
Three East Coast Main Line train operators have been granted permission to run additional services from December. Regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it approved some proposals from open access operators Lumo, Grand Central and Hull Trains to enhance their timetables. It rejected some proposed services, citing concerns over insufficient capacity, the potential impact on performance, and the effect on the Government's revenue. The approvals include Lumo extending some of its existing London King's Cross-Edinburgh services to Glasgow, and additional services between London King's Cross and Newcastle. Hull Trains will run an additional train from London King's Cross to Hull on weekdays and Saturdays, while Grand Central will increase its regional operation, including a new link to Seaham on the County Durham coast. Among the rejected proposals was a plan from Hull Trains for new services between London King's Cross and Sheffield. Stephanie Tobyn, ORR's director of strategy, policy and reform, said: 'Approving these additional open access services will increase connectivity on the East Coast Main Line. 'Importantly, we have ensured the approval of these services can be accommodated alongside the major service uplifts by other operators, which have been planned into the December 2025 timetable, so together passengers and freight customers can benefit from more direct connections and greater choice from December.' Open access operators set their own fares, take on all revenue risk and receive no taxpayer-funded subsidies. They are excluded from the Government's ongoing nationalisation of Britain's train services. In January, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander wrote to the ORR expressing concerns that the open access model can cause 'potential congestion' and result in taxpayers being 'left to fill shortfalls' in maintenance costs. She stated that she expects 'the impacts on the taxpayer and on overall performance' to be 'given primacy' by the regulator when it analyses open access proposals. Government-owned LNER, which runs services on the East Coast Main Line, is planning a major timetable change in December, with up to 37 daily services and quicker journeys between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. It has previously described the overhaul as 'transformational' and 'the biggest change in a generation'.
The Independent
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Three train operators given go ahead to run extra East Coast services
Three East Coast Main Line train operators have been granted permission to run additional services from December. Regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it approved some proposals from open access operators Lumo, Grand Central and Hull Trains to enhance their timetables. It rejected some proposed services, citing concerns over insufficient capacity, the potential impact on performance, and the effect on the Government's revenue. The approvals include Lumo extending some of its existing London King's Cross-Edinburgh services to Glasgow, and additional services between London King's Cross and Newcastle. Hull Trains will run an additional train from London King's Cross to Hull on weekdays and Saturdays, while Grand Central will increase its regional operation, including a new link to Seaham on the County Durham coast. Among the rejected proposals was a plan from Hull Trains for new services between London King's Cross and Sheffield. Stephanie Tobyn, ORR's director of strategy, policy and reform, said: 'Approving these additional open access services will increase connectivity on the East Coast Main Line. 'Importantly, we have ensured the approval of these services can be accommodated alongside the major service uplifts by other operators, which have been planned into the December 2025 timetable, so together passengers and freight customers can benefit from more direct connections and greater choice from December.' Open access operators set their own fares, take on all revenue risk and receive no taxpayer-funded subsidies. They are excluded from the Government's ongoing nationalisation of Britain's train services. In January, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander wrote to the ORR expressing concerns that the open access model can cause 'potential congestion' and result in taxpayers being 'left to fill shortfalls' in maintenance costs. She stated that she expects 'the impacts on the taxpayer and on overall performance' to be 'given primacy' by the regulator when it analyses open access proposals. Government-owned LNER, which runs services on the East Coast Main Line, is planning a major timetable change in December, with up to 37 daily services and quicker journeys between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. It has previously described the overhaul as 'transformational' and 'the biggest change in a generation'.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Grand Central's 100 ways to summer - your ticket to the ultimate day out
Grand Central is bringing back 100 Ways to Summer - your ticket to building the ultimate day out in the capital. 1. Get inspired From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, foodie favourites to adrenaline highs, Grand Central have mapped out 100 incredible ways to enjoy summer in the capital. 2. Build your day Keep checking Grand Central's 100 Ways to Summer page – fresh ideas are added all the time to help you plan your perfect day out. 3. Make it happen Whether it's a pre-theatre nibble or some free family fun, your next adventure is just a Grand Central train away. Here are just a few ideas to kick off your summer adventure with Grand Central: Cruise Canary Wharf in a floating hot tub Captain a hot tub boat through the heart of Canary Wharf with Skuna. Make friends with a very polite bear Join the marmalade-loving bear on a magical immersive adventure at The Paddington Bear Experience. Survive Squid Game: The Experience Test your instincts in this immersive challenge - where the line between game and reality blurs fast. Enjoy a brew with a view Hop aboard an iconic London double-decker bus for Brigit's Bakery's delicious afternoon tea experience. Go back to the 1940s at a secret underground cocktail bar Head to Cahoots for spiffing cocktails and rationed snacks in a 1940s-inspired speakeasy with underground charm. For more details and ideas, visit Grand Central's website and social channels (@grandcentralrail). Fresh inspiration will be added to the page frequently so check back to explore your way to summer. Download the Grand Central app and book directly for up to 80% off advance tickets.* *One-way fares. Subject to availability. See for details.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
More trains from Bradford Interchange to London are planned
MORE trains to and from London are expected to arrive at Bradford Interchange from December, along with extra services between the capital and Bradford Forster Square. The Bradford Interchange to Kings Cross route could get an extra two services per day when the next rail timetable change is introduced later this year, up from the current four-a-day frequency. The service, run by Grand Central, stops at Halifax, Mirfield, Wakefield, Pontefract, and Doncaster. News that there would be extra services on this route was revealed in a report going to West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Transport Committee on Wednesday. The report says: 'Grand Central are hoping to introduce up to two additional trains each way per day on their Bradford Interchange – Halifax – Mirfield – Wakefield – Pontefract –Doncaster – London King's Cross route, as against the current four per day – with the potential to introduce one of the two extra train-pairs sooner than December. 'However, it is not yet known whether their application for the relevant network access has been approved.' If network access is approved, the services will follow an increase in London services to Bradford Forster Square, introduced in May. Platform 0 opened at Bradford Forster Square Station on May 19, and has seen LNER increase the number of direct trains from Bradford to Kings Cross from two a day to seven a day. It followed a £35m investment from Government, and was expected to add £4m a year to Bradford's economy. The report to WYCA's Transport Committee says even more Forster Square/London services are likely in the December timetable change. The report says: 'LNER's Sunday services on the Bradford Forster Square – London King's Cross route are expected to increase, bringing them in line with the significantly improved weekday service.' The December changes will also see train times on the Skipton and Ilkley lines 'adjusted slightly' to accommodate the extra London to Bradford Foster Square LNER trains. Other changes to West Yorkshire rail services in the December timetable include: The introduction of the long-awaited hourly fast train Leeds – Wakefield Westgate – Sheffield, roughly 30 minutes apart from the existing Cross-Country fast service, throughout the day and every day. An additional 9.34pm Sheffield – Huddersfield service on the Penistone line on weekdays. The restoration of the two daily York – Pontefract – Sheffield trains on Sundays. The committee will also hear that there has been a shift back towards office working in recent years. Northern Rail says this shift has led to a nine per cent year-on-year increase in commuter travel.
